In the bustling heart of Phoenix, where the sun casts a warm glow over our expanding city, the dedication of our firefighters shines brighter than ever. Over the last decade, as our population surged by hundreds of thousands, the demands on our emergency services have skyrocketed. Despite these challenges, including the addition of just one fire station and two fire trucks in this period, the commitment of our firefighters has remained unwavering..but it is being tested and pushed to a breaking point.
The landscape of emergency response in Phoenix has been stretched thin. Since 2002, not a single new ladder truck has been added to our fleet. These are the trucks equipped with specialty equipment, including the "jaws of life" that are necessary for critical rescues, including extracting individuals trapped in vehicles. The shortage of ladder trucks has escalated response times to over 20 minutes in some cases, compounded by our existing ladder trucks being overburdened with call volumes that exceed national health standards for firefighter well-being and response metrics.
This intense demand on our resources often means that even if a fire station is near an emergency, the stationed unit may already be responding to another call, necessitating assistance from further away and delaying vital help. These realities have culminated in an average response time for all fire department apparatus types of over 9 minutes city-wide, a figure we are passionately working to improve.
The pandemic years of 2020 and 2021 tested our resilience in unprecedented ways. Amidst the fear and uncertainty, when the world retreated to the safety of their homes, our firefighters stepped forward without hesitation. Every day, they risked their lives and the well-being of their families to serve our community, embodying a level of bravery and selflessness that is nothing short of heroic. We witnessed nearly all of our firefighters contract COVID, many of which unfortunately spread infection to their loved ones at home.
This period highlighted the impossibility of remote work for our profession. While many adapted to new work environments from the safety of their homes, such an option does not exist in the world of firefighting. Our mission is inherently bound to the front lines, to being there when our community needs us the most.
I do not recount these challenges for sympathy, for the extraordinary men and women I represent seek none. Instead, I share our story to express my immense pride in their sacrifice, resilience, and unwavering dedication to our community. They have consistently done more with less, facing challenges that would test the limits of any individual.
Our union is now spearheading efforts to secure the necessary resources that have been lacking for far too long. This fight is not for monetary gain but for the essential tools and staffing needed to serve our community effectively. While the responsibility for our current shortfall in resources does not lie with our current city officials, they are tasked with facilitating the changes we desperately need.
We call upon our community to support these efforts, to stand with us as we advocate for the resources essential to our mission. Together, we can ensure that Phoenix remains a safe, thriving city, protected by what I believe are the finest firefighters in the world.
Let us move forward with the knowledge that through unity, support, and collective action, we can overcome any challenge. Your firefighters are here for you, today and always, ready to answer the call with courage and compassion.
Bryan Willingham
President, United Phoenix Firefighters